Imagine you are sitting on the deck of your own cottage; now add a bottle of fine Riesling or a Merlot which you purchased that afternoon at one of the local wineries, add some Marcona almonds or some cheese and freshly picked figs from the huge tree that fronts your cottage. If your stay in California’s wine country is at the Aurora Park Cottages, you don’t need to imagine it. This is how we spent our afternoons after returning from visiting the wineries and touring Napa, Sonoma and St. Helena.  

Our first trip to the California wine country was made that much more enjoyable by Celeste Ford and Joe Hensley, innkeepers at the Aurora Park Cottages. In addition to the assortment of amenities in each cottage, Joe prepares an envelope with wine tasting notes that are very informative and helpful. Also included in your “welcome” envelope are some vouchers for free or discounted tastings at local wineries as well as vouchers for some the restaurants in Calistoga. Additionally, Joe and Celeste will print up an itinerary for you for any reservations they made have made.     

Each morning, a light continental breakfast is served at your cottage. A basket containing juice, fresh fruit, warm croissants and Danish pastries arrives and you can choose to dine on your deck or in the cottage. With the wonderful weather we had, we always chose the deck. 

There is a bounty of wonderful restaurants in the area including Graystone, the Culinary Institute of America’s California campus, which we chose for our first evening. They even have outdoor dining on the deck overlooking the vineyard.
      

Two of our favorite wineries were the Peju Province Winery in Napa and V. Sattui in St. Helena. We enjoyed the wines at Peju, our favorite being the 2008 Carnival, a delightful Columbard that is wonderful chilled especially with spicy foods or cheese pairings. This was one of the wines we brought back to the cottage.   

 

We wish we could have spent more time with Joe and Celeste, but our charming innkeepers departed on a trip prior to the end of our stay. We were left in the very capable hands of Betty Gladden, innkeeper and inn-sitter extraordinaire. She was a delight. All in all, our first trip to the California wine country was great fun, and the contemporary Aurora Park Cottages was an excellent choice for lodging.

FREE GARDENING GETAWAY

There really are people who love to work in the garden ... you know who you are. If you would like to come and help me by working outside with me for 8 hours, you are welcome to stay for 2 nights at no charge. Usual amenities are included. Call for more details.

More information on this package is available at their website under rates.

Be sure to visit BedandBreakfast.com to find other getaways for gardeners that are listed under our Special Packages. Here are a few other garden getaways you may find appealing:

Pennsbury Inn - Chadds Ford, PA

05/26/09 - 10/31/09

Escape to Chateau Country: A bargain in beauty awaits as Winterthur, Longwood Gardens and the Hagley Museum are offering our guests a reduced rate of $30. to visit all three gardens and the mansions at Hagley and Winterthur. The Dupont family's original home and gardens Eleutherian Mills is on the Brandywine River at the Hagley Museum, along with the gun powder bills that atarted their fortune. The Winterthur mansion was enlarged by 105 rooms to house Henry Dupont's collection of American Fine Arts when he inherited this prize. Cousin Pierre saved an arboretum from development to turn it into the world's premiere garden, Longwood. For further information about each venue, visit their websites.

View all specials for Pennsbury Inn     

Victorian Charm Bed & Breakfast - Niagara Falls, ON

04/01/09 - 10/31/09

2 nights accommodations and 2 gourmet breakfasts with choice of 6 hot entrees and fresh fruits, served from 7 to 10:00am, guided tour of my garden, choice of plants to take home and instructions on planting, pruning. Later in the Summer you can harvest fruits, make jam and jelly with Anne-Marie, a Home Economics Teacher, You can also take home Everbearing raspberry canes, blackberries, Rose of Sharon trees, cuttings from cacti. Rate $325 plus 5% tax and up depending on room chosen.

View all specials for Victorian Charm B&B     

Abberley House Irish Bed and Breakfast - Dresden, OH

09/13/08 - 09/27/99

Garden Lovers’ Getaway Our surrounding area is "blooming" with beautiful gardens for your enjoyment. There are also many shops that cater to the gardener and offer unique items for your home and yard. A map and a bag lunch in an insulated tote will be provided. Bring your camera! $20/night + room rate, double occupancy.

View all specials for Abberley House    

The Queen, A Victorian Bed & Breakfast - Bellefonte, PA

05/01/09 - 10/30/09

Spring, an absolutely perfect time to visit The Queen, A Victorian Bed and Breakfast. The gardens are in full bloom and looking stunning! Take home some Victorian style when you spend the night– choose 3 perennials, trees, shrubs from a large variety, as available, to name a few: ferns, cone flowers, sedums, red raspberries (bare from July–Nov), horsetail, ivy, iris, myrtle, euonymus, sage, chives, oregano, mint, thyme, heritage hydrangea, hellebores, peonies, columbine, laities, weeping Japanese tree, crabapple, balsam, lady’s mantle, lamb ear, day lilies, bee balm, bachelor’s button and much more!!! Come visit and take a part of Victorian style home to your garden.

View all specials for The Queen     

Happy Gardening!  Rose

My “backyard,” so to speak, is the historic Hudson Valley of New York. Since I am often asked for recommendations, and it has been awhile since visiting some of the local bed and breakfasts, my husband and I did a quick overnight at the Bykenhulle House B&B in Hopewell Junction.

A Georgian colonial listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Bykenhulle House is located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, midway between New York City and Albany. The house and property are both wonderful examples of architecture and landscaping. Innkeeper Jackie Huber is charming and attentive. She enjoys assisting guests with itineraries and restaurant recommendations. The three guest rooms and two suites are beautifully decorated, each has a fireplace and the suites have whirlpool tubs. Two of the rooms, including the one we stayed in, The Master Room, have wood burning fireplaces. The suites and the Blue Room have electric fireplaces.   Beds were comfy with lovely linens and towels thick and fluffy. 

Jackie’s yummy three-course breakfast started with fresh melon and blueberries with a syrup glace, followed by warm muffins; our entrée was perfectly scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and avocado. Juice, coffee and an assortment of teas were also offered. In addition to a destination from which you can explore all the Hudson Valley has to offer, Bykenhulle House is ideal for weddings, bridal showers, teas and even corporate events. The grounds are exquisite, and every wedding is unique. Ivy Hall, a separate building, is also perfect for small affairs. It also contains a suite, usually reserved for the bride and groom.    

Dining in the area offers many options, from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, to the abundance of smaller gourmet and family restaurants. One of our personal favorites, Aroma Osteria, is also on Jackie’s list of recommended restaurants. As always, we were not disappointed with our meal or service. Some pastas and cheeses are made on the premises. We especially enjoy the very authentic Italian ricotta cheesecake – it is so reminiscent of my Mom’s. 

BEDANDBREAKFASTCOM TEAMS UP WITH TURNHERE FOR INNOVATIVE VIDEOS
Ashton's B&B in New Orleans was one of the first to feature a TurnHere video. To view the video from this lovely B&B, click here.